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9781119730378

Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion

by Watts, James W.
  • ISBN13:

    9781119730378

  • ISBN10:

    1119730376

  • Edition: 1st
  • Format: Paperback
  • Copyright: 2021-04-26
  • Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

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About This Book

Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion

ISBN: 9781119730378

This comprehensive textbook, "Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion," is a go-to resource for students and educators alike who are interested in exploring the Bible within its historical, cultural, and religious contexts. Written by James W. Watts, this book offers a detailed exploration of the Bible's significance and impact across various disciplines.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, this book is used by students and instructors in courses focused on biblical studies, religious history, cultural anthropology, and comparative religion at the college and university levels. It is also a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the historical and cultural contexts of the Bible, including professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of religious texts.

History and Editions

The book has been a cornerstone in biblical studies for several years, providing an updated perspective on how to understand the Bible as a scripture. This edition includes detailed insights into the historical development of biblical texts, their cultural influences, and their ongoing relevance in contemporary society. It addresses user feedback by incorporating the latest research and discussions on biblical interpretation.

Author and Other Works

James W. Watts is the author of "Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion." Watts is known for his scholarly approach to biblical studies, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the Bible within its historical and cultural contexts. His work has been widely recognized for its clarity and depth, making complex biblical concepts accessible to a broad audience.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive Coverage: The book covers core concepts in biblical studies, including detailed explanations and examples.
  • Historical and Cultural Context: The text provides a rich understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which the Bible was written.
  • Updated Research: The book includes detailed updates on biblical scholarship, reflecting the latest research and discussions in the field.
  • Accessible Writing Style: Watts' writing style is engaging and conversational, making complex biblical concepts easier to understand.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

  • Hardcover: ISBN-13: 9781119730378
  • eTextbook: ISBN-13: 9781119730385
  • eTextbook: ISBN-13: 9781119730392

Publication Details

  • Publisher: Wiley
  • Publication Date: Not specified
  • Number of Pages: Not specified
  • Language: English
  • Item Weight: Not specified
  • Dimensions: Not specified

Other Editions and Formats

While specific other editions or formats are not listed here, this book is widely available in various formats from different retailers.

This detailed information section provides a quick reference for all the available formats and sources for "Understanding the Bible as a Scripture in History, Culture, and Religion," making it easier to find and access the book in the preferred format.

Author Biography

JAMES W. WATTS is Professor in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. He is the author of How and Why Books Matter (2019), Understanding the Pentateuch as a Scripture (Wiley Blackwell, 2017), Leviticus 1-10 (2013), and Ritual and Rhetoric in Leviticus: From Sacrifice to Scripture (2007). He is a co-founder of SCRIPT, The Society for Comparative Research on Iconic and Performative Texts.

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Chapter 1: Scripture and Ritual 10

The Three Dimensions of Written Texts 13

Ritualizing Scriptures in Three Dimensions 15

Jewish and Christian Scriptures 18

Manuscripts and Printing 21

Section 1: The Torah as a Scripture 24

Chapter 2: Torah and Pentateuch 25

The Pentateuch in Three Dimensions 26

Scripturalizing Torah in the Time of Ezra 29

Chapter 3: The Torah’s Rhetoric 34

The Torah’s Rhetoric of Origins 35

Authority, Sanctions, Readers 48

The Rhetoric of the Deuteronomistic History 62

Chapter 4: The Torah’s Iconic Dimension 70

The Pentateuch’s Iconic Dimension After Ezra 72

The Pentateuch’s Iconic Dimension Before Ezra 92

Ancient Lost-and-Found Books 100

Chapter 5: The Torah’s Expressive Dimension 105

Reading Torah after Ezra 109

Songs and Poetry in the Hebrew Bible 123

Expressing the Covenant: the Prophets 128

Expressing Torah Before Ezra 130

Chapter 6: The Torah’s Semantic Dimension 138

Interpreting Life: Wisdom Literature 138

The Tanak as a Scripture 141

Promises, Threats, and Apocalyptic 146

Scripturalizing Prophets, Psalms and Wisdom 153

Interpreting Scripture: Scribes and Rabbis 160

Identifying with Israel 171

The Pentateuch Before Ezra 180

Section 2: The Gospels as a Scripture 192

Chapter 7: Rhetoric about Jesus 192

Jesus in the Gospels

Paul and his Letters

Chapter 8: The Rhetoric of the Gospels

The Gospel According to Mark

The Gospel According to Matthew

The Gospel According to Luke

The Gospel According to John

Chapter 9: The Gospels’ Iconic Dimension

Irenaeus and the Four Gospels

Iconic Gospels and Bibles

Chapter 10: The Gospels’ Expressive Dimension

Christian Lectionaries

Singing Christian Scriptures

The Languages of Christian Scriptures

Expert Translators

Portraying Jesus in Visual Art and Media

Chapter 11: The Gospels’ Semantic Dimension

Interpreting Jesus’s Death

Other Ancient Gospels

Women in the Gospels and Ancient Cultures

The Gospel before the Gospels

Writing Paul’s Letters

The Search for the Historical Jesus

Section 3: The Bible as a Scripture 248

Chapter 12: The Bible’s Iconic Dimension 248

Publishing Tanaks and Bibles 248

Relic Books 255

Decalogue Tablets 261

Chapter 13: The Bible’s Expressive Dimension 264

The Bible in Art 264

Illustrated Bibles 267

Bible Maps 270

The Bible in Theater and Film 272

Chapter 14: The Bible’s Semantic Dimension 277

Biblical Law and Authority 277

Modern Controversies about Genesis 288

Chapter 15: The History of the Bible as a Scripture 303

Scripturalization and Canonization 303

Understanding the Bible as a Scripture 304

Cited Works and Further Reading 307

Supplemental Materials

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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